Hello. My name's Troy McClure Roku and you may remember me from such sections as Points of View and Fan Art. Obligatory Simpsons reference aside, I'll be filling in for Castomel over the next few days. In case you missed it or weren't paying attention, my name's Roku and I'm the Points of View curator, a game reviewer, and also a permanent OmniArt 2005 judge, though I've contributed to many other parts of the site as well. This is my first time hosting Q&A though, so forgive me if it takes me a few days to get the kinks out. I guess you don't really have a choice though, you're stuck with me anyway ^^.

L E T T E R S

My first letter!

I need help finding an RPG to play....all the RPG's that I'm waiting for is basically coming out from November, to early next year. But I would like to play something now. I have played Wild arm series (except 3, 'cause I never liked that one), suikoden series, shadow heart series, Final Fantasy X (dumb 11....wheres 12!?). I also played Breath of fire Dragon Quarter (amazing game). I tried but didn't like Disgaea, so I never bother trying la pucelle and the other ippon ichi games. I also tried Stella Deus, and surprisingly did not like it either(I loved FF tactics, and figure would like this too). Hmm...played old front mission, so don't want to play new one. Played kingdom hearts....wow I played a lot of RPG's. Anyways, those are the ones that I can think of. Any recommendations(oh, and only PS2 please)? hmm...maybe I should just replay vandal hearts.......

ROKU

PlayStation 2 only, huh? If you're willing to wait until the end of the month, Atelier Iris Eternal Mana is good semi-old school fun with a lot of other stuff tossed in. It's only published by NIS, not made by them, and it's different from Disgaea etc. As for games that are out right this second, it sounds like you might like Growlanser II since it's a TRPG that often forces you to actually think like in FFT and unlike Disgaea etc. It's a little on the short side, but it comes with Growlanser III. I personally didn't like that as much though.

My first letter addressed to me!

Hey Roku,

Just finished beating Stella Deus, which I really wasn't impressed with,
actually thought it sucked. As soon as I quit being lazy and write the
review, you'll get both a review of Stella Deus as well as Suikoden 2 that
I've been planning on writing for three weeks. I'll write them soon.

Also, I could probably read your bio and find out, but, what games do you
have that are your favorites, and also what type of games(RPG/Tactical RPG
or other) do you usually enjoy playing more?

-andrew- -kupomogli-

ROKU

Hmm, well I did enjoy Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger a lot, as well as a lot of other classics. As far as more recent games are concerned, Tales of Symphonia and Atelier Iris Eternal Mana were good. I know I'm leaving a lot out, but this column would be really long if I listed all the fun games I've played. That should give you a general idea though. As far as the type of RPG I like the most, I tend to favor one type over the others at any given time, but I seem to switch from one to the other fairly periodically, so it's pretty even I guess. As a result, I'd say I don't have any real preferences so long as the game is good.

Dark Cloud 3, eh?

Please tell me any you know about the workings of Dark Cloud 3. Such as "are they even working on it", that info would be really nice. After E3 last year nothing has been said about it, and that makes me sad...

ROKU

Well, it was announced that Level 5 was working on it back in 2003/2004 for the PlayStation 2, but it appears to have vanished off the face of the Earth since then. I vaguely recall several stores setting the North American release date as early 2005, but obviously that didn't happen. This leads me to believe that it was either delayed or canceled, but, since the first two were so popular, it was probably just delayed. I can only hope that this delay is due to the fact that they have come to their senses and decided to do away with random dungeons, but I honestly have no idea.

Here before Japan?

Why is Lunar for the DS coming to the U.S. before Japan?

ROKU

That's a good question. While the current NA release date is set for July, Ubisoft, the company releasing it, hasn't even bothered adding it to their own website yet. Thus, I have serious doubts about it actually coming out here in only a few weeks. It looks like it's going to be delayed beyond the Japanese release date unless they want to release an unfinished game in order to meet a deadline. That would be bad. I'm not sure about this, but I think that happened with Quest 64. If not, then it sure feels that way in any case...

They'd better not!

I've heard countless people on various sites saying that sony plans to no longer bring Wild Arms games to America due to low sales. I know Wild Arms Alter Code: F is coming soon, but Sony isn't responsible for the localization. So, is this true that Wild Arms Alter Code: F will be the last game to grace American gamers or is it just an idiotic rumor spread by someone craving attention? Thanks for your time and I love your site.

ROKU

Well, I haven't heard any official statement of this and Wild ARMs 3 was pretty popular if I remember correctly, so this is likely just a rumor. Even if they do decide not localize any more, other companies could step in and try to do so. That said, they have been delaying Alter Code F quite a bit lately. Interestingly enough, it doesn't look like anyone even knows when that one's coming out here as every store I've checked as had a different release date. That could be the source of the rumor.

Enough time for one more, do you feel lucky?

Hey Roku,

Got another question actually. Tales of Symphonia recently turned 19.99(I
already own it however, including the artbook,) and see, this is where my
one idea would probably prove useful. I remember long long ago when
Suikoden 2 was 19.99 and you know alot of people loved it, a little too much
because it wasn't as good as people say it is, even though it is pretty
good. Anyways, see, my idea was to buy every copy of titles that I know
will turn out to be rarity's that I can find. So go into all the stores and
buy up all the Tales of Symphonia's, then wait about a year or when the next
system comes out or has been out a bit, and get 70 - 100 dollars back on
each copy.

The thing is, I don't have the money to do it because currently my dad has
all my money, so I'm just taking rent away from what he's holding of mine is
how I'm using it, and I still don't have a job again yet. So anyways, what
do you think of the idea? Also, could I borrow 1000 dollars plus tax to get
50 copies, and then I'll cut you in on 50% of what I make. You'll be
atleast doubling your money(or use my idea and give me 50%?) Anyways, I
just know how people don't get the games when they have the chance, and then
they go for them later, and since they want them so badly, alot of people,
and if they look on Ebay for mint condition copies, they're paying a good
amount. That's why I thought of the idea.

-andrew- -kupomogli-

ROKU

That's an interesting scheme, but I don't like taking advantage of people and don't have very much money either. Sorry ^^;;

C L O S I N G

IN CONCLUSION:

So there you have it. My first time as Q&A guest host. I'll be here for the next few days, so be sure to send me some letters or something. You guys can pick the topic I suppose. Yuuup. The end.